Some retired health workers in the Abia State civil service whose retirement ages were extended by the state government in 2024 on Tuesday marched to the Office of the Accountant General to demand immediate payment of their salaries.

The protesting workers, mainly nurses and other staff from the Hospital Management Board and Ministry of Health, alleged that they have not received any salary since their reinstatement and recall to service in 2024.

Speaking in front of the Accountant General’s office in Umuahia, the workers stated that the Abia State Government had extended their years of service from 35 to 40 years and the retirement age from 60 to 65 years, in line with a Federal Government circular.

They claimed that despite undergoing reinstatement screening, they are yet to be placed on the payroll. Those who wish to process their retirement documents for pensions and gratuity have also been unable to do so.

“The governor, in his fatherly heart, approved the reinstatement of retired health workers. He added five years to retired health workers. But since 2024 till now, we have not been paid. We have done every necessary thing they want us to do, still, we are not paid,” Mrs Egendu, one of the protesting health workers, lamented.

The workers appealed to the Accountant General of Abia State, Mrs Njum-Uma Onyemenam, to urgently address their situation and commence payment of their salaries without further delay.

The Office of the Accountant General is yet to issue any official statement on the matter.

However, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Mrs Obi-Anakwalam Elechi, said the Ministry of Health is expected to provide the necessary verification code and transmit it to the Accountant General’s office for processing.